The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it recorded sweeping diplomatic, institutional and service delivery gains in 2025, strengthening Ghana’s global standing under the Mahama administration.
In a year-end summary, the ministry said it enhanced Ghana’s image within the international community while repairing and deepening relations with countries worldwide in pursuit of strategic national interests. It said the rights and dignity of Ghanaians abroad were “boldly defended,” including emergency evacuations of citizens from Israel and Iran.
A major diplomatic highlight was Ghana securing regional backing for President John Dramani Mahama as West Africa’s sole candidate for chairperson of the African Union when the rotating leadership returns to the subregion in 2027. Ghana also won 14 competitive elections for positions in international organisations, including the African Union and the United Nations.
The ministry reported significant progress in travel and migration facilitation, securing 11 new visa waiver agreements and eight labour mobility deals. Ghana was also said to be the only country granted an exemption under recent multiple visa sanctions announced by former US President Donald Trump.
Passport administration saw major reforms, with the rollout of ICAO-compliant chip-embedded passports, a 30% reduction in application fees and the launch of same-day passport delivery. Seven new passport application centres were opened nationwide, while 24-hour production cleared more than 40,000 inherited backlogs. Officials say the system now guarantees delivery within 15 days.
On infrastructure and financing, the ministry secured a US$60 million Chinese grant for a modern Aflao market complex and a new university in the Savannah Region, alongside €50 million in EU military and counterterrorism support. Japan also signed a US$33 million grant for power stabilisation in Tamale and road upgrades in Kumasi.
The ministry said it halted the sale of state lands, reversed the illegal disposal of diplomatic property in Nigeria and oversaw prosecutions, while also restructuring operations at Ghana’s Washington mission after corruption findings.
Additional achievements included negotiating 1,500 foreign scholarships, creating student help desks in 11 missions, introducing a five-day visa processing policy, opening a new embassy in Budapest and hosting the ECOWAS at 50 commemoration and a global reparations summit.
Humanitarian assistance was extended to Palestine, Sudan, Cuba and Jamaica, where Ghanaian engineers are supporting reconstruction efforts.